A possible new case of Panama disease tropical race 4 (Panama TR4) has been detected on a Tully Valley banana property in Far North Queensland. When this would be confirmed, it will be the fifth infested commercial banana farm in the Tully Valley since the disease was first detected in Queensland in 2015.
According to Biosecurity Queensland Panama TR4 program leader Rhiannon Evans, a surveillance team had spotted a banana plant showing symptoms typical of the disease during a routine property inspection. She said: "Preliminary testing has come back positive, but further tests are needed for a conclusive result and that can take up to four weeks. We have advised the grower of the suspect detection and the need to meet strict biosecurity requirements to minimise the risk of any further disease spread.”
"Fortunately, the grower was prepared with on-farm biosecurity, making it easier to meet those requirements. The biosecurity requirements are in place to protect the property and the industry from wider spread of this serious banana disease. Our dedicated team of biosecurity officers will work with the grower to provide practical support gained from working on the previous infested properties."
Northqueenslandregister.com.au explains that if it is a positive result, it will only be the fifth property confirmed to be infested with Panama TR4 in Far North Queensland since 2015, meaning the disease is spreading very gradually and is still contained within the Tully Valley.
